My $6.30 Sunday in Sydney

What to do in Sydney on a Sunday without having to rob a bank?

I started off with the intention of visiting the State Library of New South Wales and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), just 500 metres away from each other. Sandwiched  between these two I stumbled upon a real bonus.
I took the train to Martin Place then up the back steps to Macquarie Street popping up at street level right opposite State Parliament. One side of the street was closed to traffic...this was explained when I saw the Vice Regal car parked outside the entrance. My first thought..... surely the G.G. isn't here to disolve the NSW Parliament on a Sunday? More on that later.

I'd forgotten that it was school holidays and that public spaces would be more crowded than usual. The State Library was buzzing with people visiting the Sydney Morning Herald Photos 1040 photography exhibition (to 01 August)  and the World Press Photo 10 annual exhibition (to 25 July) This is a must see for the confronting realism of the images of life beyond our armchair complacency. War, death and civil unrest are captured right in the moment.

Sydney Morning Herald Photos 1040 - State Library of NSW

World Press Photo 10 - State Library of NSW

Now for the bonus
Still on the subject of war. The end products of conflicts, the people who have been touched by its events and carried its consequences - our Reserve Forces, Past and Present parading before the Govenor General, Quentin Bryce in the park behind Sydney Hospital. A touching site and an interesting aftermath following on from the World Press Photo Exhibition.

Advance Australia Fair - The Reserve Forces Parade
The out-rider

On a lighter note (I'm glad that I did things in this order) a small yet captivating exhibition entitled "Colour, rythm, design": wood and lino cuts of the 20s and 30s at the AGNSW (to 11 July).
A fifteen minute wait for coffee (be warned) at the Gallery Cafe gave me time to jot down these notes.
Before leaving the Gallery I listened to a couple of performances by young students from the Australian Insitute of Music (AIM). Australia's classical music future is in good hands (that's if we can keep them here)

Making beautiful music in the Grand Courts at AGNSW (out of focus but it will give you the 'foggy' picture)

Had I wanted to stretch my 'free' entertainment further there was a film showing mid afternoon in the Art Gallery Theatre.

On reflection, a balanced and enjoyable day's entertainment.
Cost: train $2.50 coffee $3.80 (would have been 50c less if I hadn't ordered soy milk)